Boots with means to provide air pressure under the soles



S. A. KESSELMAN Sept. 5, 1967 500% WITH MEANS TO PROVIDE-AIR PRESSURE UNDER THE soLEs 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept.

RIGHT 70 RIGHT SIDE OF LEFT .BOOT

Samuel fl. ksse/mcm W$L M ATTURNEYS Sept. 5, 1967 s. A. KESSELMAN 3,339,298

"BOOTS WITH MEANS TO PROVIDE AIR PRESSURE UNDER THE SOLES Filed Sept. 28, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J Q INVENTOR I SamueZ A Kesselma/v A TTURNEYS United States Patent 3,339,298 BOOTS WITH MEANS TO PROVIDE AIR PRESSURE UNDER THE SOLES Samuel A. Kesselman, 175-25 139th Road, Jamaica, N.Y. 11434 Filed Sept. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 582,575 4 Claims. (Cl. 362.5)

ABSTRACT OF THE DllSfILOSURE A boot construction having a novel structural arrangement and configuration enabling air to circulate under the bottom sole for breaking the vacuum created thereunder when walking in mud or the like. A common tube on each side of the boot leads to a source of air supply and a plurality of branch tubes are connected to the common tube and lead to the under side of the sole of the shoe. Valve means are provided for controlling the flow of air through the branch tubes.

This invention relates generally to footwear. More specifically it relates to boots adaptable for use upon a muddy terrain.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel boot for being worn upon the foot and which has self contained means for being readily lifted after each step when walking through relatively deep mud. It is generally Well known that when walking through mud, a suction is developed on the underside of the footwear sole, thus preventing the easy lifting of the foot from the mud in order to take a next step. This suction attempts to pull the shoe or boot from the wearers foot and accordingly makes travel through muddifficult.

Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide a deep mud boot which incorporates means for relieving the vacuum developed upon the underside of a boot sole, this means comprising the delivery of air to the boot underside to eliminate the low pressure area existing there.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a deep mud boot which incorporates a plurality of tubes that deliver air to the underside of the boot and which includes valve means to retard the movement of the mud into the tubes.

Yet another object of the presentinvention is to provide a deep mud boot which further includes means for blowing out the tube lines should they become unduly clogged with the mud, such blowing out means comprising air or liquid under pressure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a deep mud-boot wherein the blowing out of the lines need be done only periodically.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a deep mud boot having self contained means whereby the downward movement of a boot into the mud during the taking of a step by the wearer thereof provides air pressure to air being delivered to the underside of the other boot of the wearer.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a deep mud boot which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and eflicient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawings wherein:

3,338,298 Patented Sept. 5, 1967 FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a boot incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view thereof shown partly in cross section and shown in operative use within mud.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a modified form of the present invention shown partly in cross section.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the boot.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view shown partly in cross section and illustrating a further modified form of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of one of the boots as viewed along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and to FIGS. l-3 in particular, the reference numeral 10 represents a deep mud boot according to the present invention wherein there is a main body 11 made preferably from waterproof material such as flexible or semi-flexible rubber or the like, and which includes a bottom sole 12, an upstanding side wall 13, a relatively horizontal top wall 14 having an opening 15 therein for receiving the leg 16 of a wearer 17 and which further includes tubing means 18 for delivering air to the underside of the sole 12.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, it is to be particularly noted that the boot 10 is of unconventional configuration in view of the side wall 13 extending a full height upward at the front of the boot, the height thereof at the front being the same as at the rear thereof, thus eliminating the possibility of mud 19 to gain access over the fore part of the boot to further hold down the boot such as is possible with conventional footwear. In the present construction the mud 19 accordingly cannot get above any portion of the boot to further hold the same downward, the mud being engageable with only the side and sole of the boot. The sole, side wall and top wall enclose a central compartment 20 which includes the relatively large open area above the toe portion of the persons foot, this air filled area tending to provide flotation to the boot so that it does not sink as relatively deep within mud, such as is possible with conventional footwear.

A strap 21 secured at its ends 22' to opposite lateral sides of the side wall 13 so as to retain the foot 22 so to prevent the foot from being lifted into the open area thereabove during walking.

The opening 15 may be peripherally lined with a soft fabric 23 or the like so to provide comfort around the wearers leg 16. A slot 24 may be provided in the top wall 14, the slot extending forwardly and being enclosed by a slide fastener 25, the slot providing a means for easily inserting the foot in and out of the boot.

The tubing means 18 includes a tubing assembly 26 upon each lateral side of the boot, each tubing assembly comprising an upward extending tube 27 terminating near the upper portion of the boot, the lower portion of the tube 27 communicating with a plurality of radially extending tube lines 28, the lower ends of which are in communication with the bottom wall 29 of the sole 12. A one-way valve 30 is located between the tube 27 and tube lines 28 to provide means for preventing mud from entering into the tube lines. The one-way valve may be imbedded within a rubber embossment 31 that is moulded upon either the inner or outer side of the lateral sides of wall 13.

In operative use the slot 24 is opened to permit inserting of a foot into the boot, after which the slide fastener 25 is closed. The forward portion of the foot is engaged below the strap 21 upon insertion of the foot into the boot and the person is then ready to walk through relatively deep mud. Upon attempting to lift the leg when the boot is in deep mud, a relatively low pressure is developed by the upward pull of the leg upon the boot, thus causing air to enter the valve 30 and downward through the tube lines 28 to the underside of the sole in the area of the relatively low pressure. Thus elimination of the low pressure area by the introduced air will permit easily lifting the boot out of the mud.

In FIG. 4 a modified form of the construction is shown wherein the device as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 further includes pressure means 40 for blowing out the tube lines 28 should by chance any mud enter therein.

The pressure means 40 includes a canister 41 of aerosol can type, and which includes air or liquid therewithin under a relatively high pressure. A bracket 42 permits supporting the canister 41 from a belt 43 worn around a persons waist in a conventional manner.

A two-way valve 44 is secured to the nozzle 44a of he canister 41, the valve being controlled by a manually operated lever 45 that selectively communicates passage through the valve from the canister to a pair of flexible hoses 46, each of the hoses extending downwardly alongside a leg of the person, and which at its lower end is bifurcated to form hose elements 47 and 48 that are connected to opposite tube assemblies 26 on each side of the boot 10.

In the construction illustrated in FIG. 4, the control lever 45 is retained in a neutral position to prevent escape of air or water from within the canister into either of the hoses 46. However periodically the lever 45 may be moved so that air or water pressure may be delivered into either of the hoses and thus clean out the tube lines 28.

The device as illustrated in FIG. 4 may be made to include air under pressure only in the canister, and the lever 45 may be activated with each step of the person so as to deliver air to the underside of the boot.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 a further modified construction 60 is shown wherein a pair of boots 61 and 62 are Worn by a wearer 63, each boot having downwardly extending tube lines 64 upon opposite lateral sides thereof, the upper ends of the tube lines 64 being directly connected to a common tube 65, each tube 65 being connected to the lower end of a hose 66. The upper ends of the hoses 66 are connected to opposite ends of a T-joint 67, the T- joint being further connected by a hose 68 to a manually controlled valve 69 mounted upon nozzle 70 of a pressure canister 71 which may contain either air or water under pressure. A manually controlled lever 72 permits communication between the canister 71 and the hoses 66.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 the underside 73 of the boot sole 74 is upwardly arched to form a pocket 75 therebeneath. The lower ends of the tube lines 64 are inwardly directed toward the center of the pocket 75. The screen 76 of relatively fine mesh is peripherally secured to the periphery of the sole and encloses the pocket 75.

In operative use, the construction 60 provides a means whereby the downward moving boot within a quantity of mud during the taking of a step provides means for delivering a quantity of air to the other boot of the wearer so to permit the same to be easily raised from the mud. In operative use, when the boot 61 is placed upon the surface of mud during the taking of a step, the boot 61 will sink into the mud and cause air within the pocket 75 to be placed under relatively high pressure, the air from within the pocket 75 being thus discharged upwardly through the air tube lines 64, as indicated by the arrows, through the hoses 66 and downwardly into the tube lines 64 of the opposite boot 62 wherein a relatively low pressure has been developed on the underside of the boot 62 due to the person attempting to raisehis boot 62 from the mud in order to take a next subsequent step. Thus an automatic method has been developed whereby the air may move with each step from a high pressure area to a low pressure area under the boots.

The screen 77 will prevent the infiltration of mud into the pocket 75. However a fine silt will enter the pocket and require occasionally that it be blown out. Accordingly at such time the lever 72 may be moved so as to permit air or water under pressure to be delivered into the hoses 66 and the tube lines 64 thereby forcing the silt out of the pocket 75. It is believed that the present form of the invention will conserve the quantity of air or water under pressure being used.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction it is understood that such changes will be within the scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a deep mud boot, the combination of a sole, and upwardly extending side wall, said side wall extending upwardly around all sides of the said sole, said wall being of relatively equal height upon all sides, the upper end of said side wall being secured to the edge of a horizontal top wall, said top wall having an opening therein for the purpose of fitting around a wearers leg, said top wall having a forwardly extending slot, one end of said slot intersecting said opening, said slot providing a means for introducing a foot through said top wall into said boot, a slide fastener for selectively enclosing said slot, a tubing assembly upon each lateral side of said side wall to provide access means for air to the underside of said sole of said boot, said tubing assemblies each comprising a downwardly extending tube, the upper end of said tube being approximately level with said top wall of said boot, the lower end of each of said tubes being in communication with a plurality of radially extending tube lines, the lower ends of said tube lines being open and in communication with the lower surface of said boot sole, and a one-way valve between said tube and tube lines to permit entry of air downward only from said tube into said tube lines.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said boot further includes a hose element connected to the upper end of each of said tubes, each said hose element being connected to a common hose, said hose of each of said boots being connected to a two-way valve, said two-way valve being connected to a nozzle of a pressure canister containing air under pressure, a bracket secured to said canister for supporting said canister and two-way valve from a belt around a persons waist, and a manually controlled lever onset to a valve for selectively opening a communication between said canister and said hoses toward each of said boots.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said boots includes a central compartment for receiving a wearers foot and leg, a laterally extending strap for securing said foot adjacent said sole of said boot, and said strap being secured at each end to opposite lateral sides of said side wall.

4. In a deep mud boot, the combination of a sole, and upwardly extending side wall, said side wall extending upwardly around all sides of the said sole, said wall being of relatively equal height upon all sides, the upper end of said side wall being secured to the edge of a horizontal top wall, said top wall having an opening therein for the purpose of fitting around a wearers leg, said top wall having a forwardly extending slot, one end of said slot intersecting said opening, said slot providing a means for introducing a foot through saidtop wall into said boot, a slide fastener for selectively enclosing said slot, and a tubing assembly upon each lateral side of said side wall to provide access means for air to the underside of said sole of said boot, said access means comprising the under. side of each of said soles being upwardly arched to form a pocket therebeneath, a plurality of tube lines extending downwardly adjacent each lateral side of said boot, the lower ends of said tube lines being in communication with said pocket, said tube lines being connected at their upper ends to a common tube, said tube being connected to the lower end of a hose, the upper end of said hose being connected to a T-fixture, said T-fixture being connected by a separate hose to a manually controlled valve secured upon the end of a nozzle of a pressure canister, and said pocket being enclosed by a screen.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Marks 36-1 Tranefors 36-1 Clyne 36-7.1 X Burlison et al 36-3 Burtolf 36-50 PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A DEEP MUD BOOT, THE COMBINATION OF A SOLE, AND UPWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE WALL, SAID SIDE WALL EXTENDING UPWARDLY AROUND ALL SIDES OF THE SAID SOLE, SAID WALL BEING OF RELATIVELY EQUAL HEIGHT UPON ALL SIDES, THE UPPER END OF SAID SIDE WALL BEING SECURED TO THE EDGE OF A HORIZONTAL TOP WALL, SAID TOP WALL HAVIN G AN OPENING THEREIN FOR THE PURPOSE OF FITTING AROUND A WEARER''S LEG, SAID TOP WALL HAVING A FORWARDLY EXTENDING SLOT, ONE END OF SAID SLOT INTERSECTING SAID OPENING, SAID SLOT PROVIDING A MEANS FOR INTRODUCING A FOOT THROUGH SAID TOP WALL INTO SAID BOOT, A SLIDE FASTENER FOR SELECTIVELY ENCLOSING SAID SLOT, A TUBING ASSEMBLY UPON EACH LATERAL SIDE OF SAID SIDE WALL TO PROVIDE ACCESS MEANS FOR AIR TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID SOLE OF SAID BOOT, SAID TUBING ASSEMBLIES EACH COMPRISING A DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING TUBE, THE UPPER END OF SAID TUBE BEING APPROXIMATELY LEVEL WITH SAID TOP WALL OF SAID BOOT, THE LOWER END OF EACH OF SAID TUBES BEING IN COMMUNICATION WITH A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY EXTENDING TUBE LINES, THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID TUBE LINES BEING OPEN AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID BOOT SOLE, AND A ONE-WAY VALVE BETWEEN SAID TUBE AND TUBE LINES TO PERMIT ENTRY OF AIR DOWNWARD ONLY FROM SAID TUBE INTO SAID TUBE LINES. 